“How were we to know?” asked Noble, wringing his hands.
“Tell us what you got, Chief,” Tony said with a little discomfort. Noble was appointed acting chief of police. Calling him by the title reminded Tony of Fuller.
“The Union is all but dead. They had some kind of internal war and killed each other off.”
Tony and Jim applauded.
“Fuller was the father of both boys. He had birth certificates for Carlton and Talmadge Williams in his house,” Noble said. “And hold on to your nuts. The Handyman was in the police academy.”
“Jesus,” said Tony.
“He was there through basic but quit right after,” said Noble.
“Makes sense,” said Jim. “Puller sent him there to get stronger, learn the game.” “Or maybe to straighten him out,” said Tony. After his first son died, maybe Fuller tried to do right by the last one.”
“What I can't figure,” said Noble, “is why Fuller didn't just have a couple of bad-ass cops blast the guys who killed his son.”
“I think I can answer that,” said Tony. “Fuller said his life meant nothing, that he'd destroyed his hope a long time ago. Fuller had failed as a father. I think Talmadge wanted to kill the dealers himself, and Fuller was so racked up with guilt over the lives he'd helped destroy, that he kinda went crazy too.”
Tony and Jim exchanged a look. Tony was speaking from experience.
“Well, he didn't go too crazy. That blond hair stunt was ingenious,” said Noble.
“Yeah, he was a regular Einstein,” Jim said angrily. “Fat bastard shot me.”
Tony laughed but the pain made him stop.
“Did Fuller engineer the loss of the hair samples, too?” asked Tony.
“Maybe,” said Noble. “Or it might have just been a screwup.”
“Well, I hope he's lucky in hell,” said Jim. “You hear that, you prick!” Jim shouted at the floor. “Damn, I hurt.”
“We couldn't find anything leading to the body of Carlton Williams or why the victims' hands were cut off,” Noble said. “Those secrets were buried with Fuller. You can read my report if you want.”
“No thanks,” said Tony. “The next thing I read will be a plane ticket to Jamaica.”
“I heard that.” Jim and Tony slapped five.
“Tell me,” Tony said. “Did you ever find out who killed Blue Jones and the boy?”
“No, but we figured it was because the boy had a price on his head, like you told us,” said Noble. “The boy came through the emergency room, and at that time, it was probably filled with drug addicts because of the Medina thing. I'm sorry.”
“Don't worry, Tony,” said Jim. “We'll find whoever did it.”
“Well, have fun, relax, and get well,” Noble said and walked to the door. He turned and came back. “I forgot.” He looked at Tony. “Fuller had this on him when he died. I believe it's yours.”
Noble reached into a pocket and brought out Tony's gold police shield.
“But why was he--”
“Don't know,” said Noble. “I guess he was waiting for you to come back to the department. Anyway, here you go.”
Tony took the shield, feeling like he was lifting it from the grave.
“If you want to come back, Inspector, the Detroit Police Force would be proud to have you.” Noble left the room.
A moment passed as Tony stared at the badge.
“Did I say thank you for saving my life?” Jim asked.
“Only about a hundred times,” Tony said. “The way I see it, we're even. I don't think the Handyman was about to sing to me when you showed up.”
“Yeah, I guess we both done good.” Jim took a step and groaned. “I'm much too old for this shit. Hey, let's go flirt with the nurses.”
Tony kept looking at the badge, turning it in his hands.
“I can hear all the stuff you're thinking,” said Jim. “So, what are you gonna do with that thing, partner?” Jim pointed to Tony's gold shield.
“The only thing I can.”
26
Higher Ground
December.
Deputy Chief of Police Tony Hill relaxed as the frozen Detroit River came into view. Large chunks of ice floated downstream, swirling in the river's current.
He was having lunch with Dr. Lincoln at the Summit, a trendy restaurant at the top of the Renaissance Center's Hilton Hotel. The food was good, the prices steep, and the whole place rotated, one half-turn, then back.
Tony was outfitted in his dress uniform. The uniform was deep blue, filled with medals and gold braid. He liked wearing dress blues. It made him feel official.
“So, Tony,” said Lincoln. “Are you ready for your big debut today?”
“I guess,” said Tony. ''I've been avoiding a press conference since I got this lousy job.”
“I read about that. Six months and no one has been able to get to you. Except that TV woman, what's her name?”
“Salinsky. I owed her.”
“Right. But even she said she felt cheated, that your story was nothing more than was released by the department,” Lincoln said.
“I just want to forget about all this.”
“Come on, you're famous. People like to touch heroism.”
“The press just wants to bring the whole Handyman and Medina business up again, sell a few more papers. We're trying to get it behind us. The killer is dead and the drug has faded away, thank God.”
“You're very cynical. I guess public life doesn't agree with you,” Lincoln said.
“I deserve to be Deputy Chief, but part of it was just another trick by the mayor to help him get reelected. It worked, too. Three terms. Yancy's almost like a king now.”
“But the office seems to suit you. You look pretty good to me.”
A waiter came by and Lincoln waved off any more coffee.
''I'm glad to be off the street,” Tony said. “This gig is a million miles away from the Sewer. Jim's having a time getting his unit back together after the corruption probe.”
“I read about that. I looked for your name.”
“You thought I was dirty?”
“No, it's just human nature. I had to make sure you weren't in trouble.”
“I helped break the corruption, actually,” said Tony. “I prompted a rookie named Fred Hampton to turn state's evidence.”
“So, what don't you like about your new job?”
“It's OK I guess. I just wish I didn't have to deal with so many idiots every day. Manpower reports, crime stats, requisitions, joint operations, state, federal, county. I almost want to go out and run down a drug dealer just for the fun of it.”
“OK then, I'll change the subject. How was Jamaica?”
“Great. My son had a blast. He'd never seen an ocean before.”
“And Nikki?”
“Well, we spent a lot of time off of our feet,” Tony said. He smiled and took a drink of water.
“And do you still hate white people?”
Tony choked on the water a little. “Where did that come from?”
“You told me that a white cop took a bullet that was meant for you. I'm curious how that's affected you,” Lincoln said.
Tony took a moment. He'd spoken with Pete Carter, but all he did was thank him. It was respectful and pleasant, but nothing more.
“No, I don't think so,” Tony said. “I mean, this whole Handyman mess was irrational. People were at each other's throats, and for what? A strand of hair. We should have been ashamed of ourselves. It was totally ridiculous.”
“As ridiculous as hating because of color?”
“Yes. You know, when I hired my staff, I made sure that there were some of them on it.”
“Them?”
“Yes, them. White people.”
“It's difficult to change behavior, Tony,” Lincoln said. “Real change comes from within, where only you know it exists.”
Tony signaled the waiter for the check. Lincoln reached for his wallet. Tony stopped him.
“No more taking turns, Doc. I have an expense account now.”
Tony gave the waiter a credit card and turned back to Lincoln.
“The answer to your unasked question, Doctor, is, yes, I'm really changing,” Tony said. “I have to. Chief Fuller failed his sons. My son is the most important thing in the world to me and I want my legacy to him to be love, knowledge, and humanity. I've lived the consequences of a legacy of hate. It's not good.”
“Good, good,” Lincoln said. “Well, time's up.”
Tony and Lincoln left the Summit just as the restaurant was turning to a view of uptown.
They parted in the lobby of the Hilton and Tony started the long trek to the City-County Building and the press conference he dreaded.
Tony went into the shining expanse of the Renaissance Center, headed for Tower 200, which was linked by an enclosed bridge to the Millender Center, which was in turn linked to the City-County Building.
After the Handyman case was closed, the seasons had changed quickly. Fall had passed in a flurry and now it was winter, with a new year around the bend.
Tony had not started an investigation into the Brotherhood. Hampton had taken money there, but his story had checked out. Two of the officers on the payoff run were also members there. They were indicted along with Orris Martin, Steve Patrick, and fifteen others. Mbutu denounced the arrest of his members as racist.
Hampton was given probation and had probably left the state. Poor guy would never be a cop again. Peter Carter was clean. Tony was glad about that.
Tony had been tempted to confess to Darryl Simon's murder while still in the hospital. But when he thought about Nikki and Moe, he abandoned the notion. Nothing would ever bring Darryl Simon back or the men Irene Simon had killed. Jim was right. He would let the dead stay dead--all of them.
Tony moved into the long bridge that separated the Renaissance and Robert Millender Centers. The bridge's heating system had failed and it was cold inside. People rushed to get to the next building. He picked up the pace.
Tony entered the Millender Center. The bustle of the lunchtime crowd was ebbing. Black businessmen hurried. Beautiful women walked along in groups, talking and laughing.
He smiled a little. He loved his city. He loved it even though it was a place as much affected by the actions of his own people as it was by anyone else's racism. He loved it because it was the only place that could ever be home to him. He saw in the city his own humanity and evolution.
The city's latest paroxysm had taken many lives, a good friend, and perhaps a bit of his soul. But he was tied to Detroit, and he lived as the city itself did, despite internal wreckage.
Tony walked into the long hallway to the City-County Building. A young officer saluted as he walked by. A young black woman rushed up to him from the other end of the hallway.
“They're ready for you, sir,” she said. “We're holding the press conference in the lobby.”
“OK, Stephanie. What do I need to know?”
“Nothing you don't already know. You have your speech memorized, I hope. Just remember to mention the mayor, the governor, and thank the President for passing the Crime Bill.”
“Got it. So, does the press look hostile?”
“Well, sir I--”
“Forget it. Let's just get this thing over with.”
They walked to the lobby. Every news crew was there, even CNN. Tony stopped and collected himself.
He walked to the podium and the crowd broke into a thunderous round of applause. TV camera lights and flashbulbs exploded in an electric brilliance.
Tony smiled, surprised and embarrassed by the adulation. He motioned the crowd to stop, but they cheered even louder. Curious passersby stopped and watched, joining the crowd.
Finally, Tony gave up, and let them continue the ovation.
Cold Medina Page 31
